What to do & Where to go...Hmmm

So you're between two modules (that's the only real break we get) and no readers to read, no group work, no assignments due..sigh it doesn't get any better than this....heaven. But you don't want to waste it, so what's happening in and round Rotterdam, what to do?

I used to be so impressed with the amount of cultural activity going on.. You could see it every day there'd be something new, on the many billboards as you ride pass heading to class in the morning or heading back in the evening. My favourite one to check was on the Goudesingel. For those of you who ride you'll recognise it easily as its right after or before the Hofplein fountain. See photo above.

But if you barely have the time to stop and read a billboard (hardly the case but I almost always felt that way) or its so cold you your body won't respond to the command, stop......well this is where you can go http://www.xpat.nl/events/cultural_events which has a small but good selection of activities, shows, expositions, etc. taking place in Rotterdam and the cities near you - Den Haag, Utrecht etc.

If the movies is all you need well that's easy - The Pathé Schouwburgplein cinema in city center and the closest to you, has the biggest screen of the Netherlands, it cannot be missed architecture-wise and its right smack in the midst of all the shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. Just a word of caution - if you go outside of peak period, the ticket boothes are closed and you have to use the ticket dispensers (see photo above) and you'll need your ATM card as it does not take cash. I was rescued by a lovely Rotterdamer who took my cash and bought me a ticket. And if you have your Erasmus student card - DISCOUNT!! So make sure to bring it.

The Pathé De Kuip cinema is another option but a bit further away. Another close option is Cinerama Rotterdam at Westblaak 18, and being the oldest (built in 1957) has a wonderful ambience (see photo below). And I know what you're wondering - language barrier?? Well not for the movies as you get Dutch subtitles but yes for the others its a challenge, except I find that with the Arts, language is almost redundant. For information on what's showing.....http://www.pathe.nl/english. Enjoy now. J.C.

Health Store

So the first quarter is behind and you are stressed out, feeling "not yourself", lethargy has set in and you don't have the time to get sick, that is a luxury you can't afford. So your mom emails and says get a tonic, some extra vitamins and iron is what you need. The thing is you have no idea where and everyone you ask is clueless. Too little time to take care of yourself is what got you here so where will you find the time to go scour Rotterdam looking for a health food store.

Well you checked the right spot...the IHS Blog Spot. I am hoping to find one a little more affordable but for now you can get just about whatever you might need at JOS PETERS DROGIST. They are located at Beurs in the underground shopping mall. Now there are two sides you can enter from. This store is found at the very end of the the underground shops close to the entrance by HEMA. The address would be Beurstraverse 17.

Another nearby option is just a few shops down, is Tuinen De at No. 168.

Well here's to good health and don't forget, no matter how intense your workload is your brain and body will not give you their best and you cannot do your best without the right fuel - exercise, rest and good balance diet. Click on photo below.


One reminder - in these parts, the Northern Latitudes you really don't get as much sunshine as you've been used to or should have and will need extra vitamin D. Of course I'd prefer natural sources of tuna, salmon, egg, mushrooms etc but if not you now know where to get it.
Til next time

Beste Wensen (best wishes)

Useful Shops

So I had to get some a passport photo done for the IND office. Did not imagine that finding a photo shop would have been such a task. I was adivsed to get it done professionally as there are rules for these official photos and failure to submit proper photo will delay processing of application. So after two hours of asking folks all across Rotterdam Central, I went to City Hall and they directed me here. Click map below. I got about 7 photos done in 5 minutes for 9 Euros You have two options: Kijkshop or Foto Van de Graaf. I have not verified this but you have a photo booth at Central Station and one a Erasmus which I am told are cheaper so feel free to check it out.

If you are not at IHS and you need to make copies or print a document you may locate such a shop very close by. Or if you are not inclined to buy phone credit online and prefer a store (as some students have said, as strange as I find that). BUT it is very very important to say that that printing services are significantly cheaper at IHS so chose this option as a last resort. Click on map below for directions.

Erasmsus Library Fines

Just a word of caution. Loans at the Erasmsus library are for three weeks. You may however renew these loans for an additional three weeks if no one as requested they be reserved for them. Should you fail to do so, you will be fined. Normally, a reminder is sent to your Erna email account but many of us tend not to check regularly so be careful.

The charges are as follows and additional info can be found at:
http://www.eur.nl/en/ub/english/services/borrowing/borrowingfromthecollection/
1st recall € 0.50
2nd recall € 0.75
3rd recall € 1.50
4th recall € 2.50
Bill for replacement costs: €25 administrative expenses + €50 replacement cost per book + recall costs = minimum charge of €80.25

A bit of anecdotal information. I left for my thesis research and got stuck in Jamaica for 6 weeks. I had taken some library books with me. There is no official rule barring a student from doing this but as other students were in need of some of the books it took some doing to get the 75 euros waived so I just thought I would advise against it.

All the best.

Erasmus Library

Collection profile
The University Library (UL) of EUR is a typical social science library. Having started as a collection of materials about the economy, it has expanded into a collection about all processes in society:

• How do we earn a living? Economy
• How do we deal with one another? Social Sciences
• What kinds of mutual agreements do we have? Law (from international to domestic)
• How do we improve these processes? Public and Business Administration.

Okay that's what the Erasmsus Library website says. What I'll say is that this library is of no match for the IHS library collection that specializes in urban development and housing issues. However, there are always additional supportive material that can be found here. I for one was very impressed with the number of books on my home country - Jamaica, authored by Jamaicans that I must confess are not so easily accessible back home but were accessible at EUR. So its definitely worth exploring.

The HOT TIP O' DI DAY is..... when you need a book of course you do a search. This is how.

1. Go to http://www.eur.nl/ and click on the English flag at the top right corner for that Language. Or just save this setting on your favourites to take you to english directly http://www.eur.nl/english/


2. Click library at the top of the page.



3. Go to the option UL Catalogue under the Search Option - see image below.
   


4. Do your search, select book of choice and then hit REQUEST at bottom of page.
   



5. When the next page opens put in your library number. You find that on your library card - 8 numbers. Your password is usually the first three letters of your surname.
   


6. On the next page that opens, select the request option in the grey box.
   


7. Your book will be ready for pick up in 15 minutes after the request is made by the Circulation Desk on the ground floor of the Library, present your card and collect your book. TEN BOOKS MAXIMUM ARE ALLOWED FOR LOAN AT ANY ONE TIME.

You can do this while in class on your laptop, or at home before you head to IHS or anywhere via a computer. They will hold that book in reserve for you for that day before someone else can claim it. If the book is not available you may select RESERVE and as soon as it is returned an email is sent to your account to advise you.

Well there you have it. Easy as cheesy. CHEERS!!

Research Tips

Hi Everyone
So you are full throttle into research for term papers, course papers and coming up to the big one ....THESIS RESEARCH. Well just a quick suggestion on one source that was very helpful to UMD 5. I am sure some have already stumbled across it but there might be those who have not. This very helpful source is GOOGLE BOOKS!!


Google Books is a web site created by Google that has uploaded and impressive number of books on this site that can not only be viewed but will allow you to search using certain key words. Over the course of a year I have accessed and referenced 117 books. Before you begin its best i tell you most of these books only allow a limited view of the literature but some do allow you to read the entire book. The good thing is even a "limited view" still offers up much information. Follow steps below and see image at end of page.

1. Head to http://www.google.com/ and at the top are all the various google sites.


2. To maximise this site it will require that you have a Google Account...which usually requires a google email. Set that up and you are good to go.


3. Click on MORE and select BOOKS.


4. Plug in a search....hmmm lets try "infrastructure" hmmm too general. Lets try urban infrastructure. Yah much better.


5. Select a book, take a peek and if you like you can read on or save it in YOUR LIBRARY. This option should be at the top right of the screen.


6. After a while your libary is gonna grow, making it hard to find the books you saved and even forgot you saved. So you might want to add LABELS which will make it easier to find the books you want.


7. Add labels by clicking on MY LIBRARY at the top, right corner. All your saved books show up and you simply click "add labels" and think of words that will remind you of what this book is about and think of about three with commas in between. Then click save.


8. If you look on the right side of the page you can now see all your labels and an easier way to access your materials.

I found this an invaluable resource. Most times after locating a book I then turn to the Erasmus library website to see its available. I then reserved it while at home and pick up tomorrow for deeper study. Do not underestimate this resource and have fun. Cheers.

Graduation

Greetings UMD

I should have said that well much time has passed and UMD 5 has graduated. I believe 8 of us graduated with distinctions and no one failed so we're pretty proud of the year that has passed. We've all been keeping in touch via facebook and its been wonderful seeing each other back on our home turf and pictures of their families and life in the different countries.

For the blog I will continue to try to fulfill the objective as described on the first page and hope it will be of help to the present group of UMD 6 and beyond. It goes without saying that since I was not able to keep up with this page as I would have liked then I its a pretty intensive course and it keeps you on your toes. But I am glad that I am still here in Rotterdam and will be able to make good on this idea that came to mind just about one year ago. Keep reading and keep coming back now.

Cheers!!